This past weekend I hopped in the car ready for a little fun. I had a two and half hour solo ride ahead of me and I was prepared. I had my Diet Coke in one hand and some Christian CDs in the other, and I was ready to rock. I placed the first CD in the car stereo, turned up the volume, and sang my heart out to God as miles and miles of road became my personal stage of prayer! Prayer doesn't always have to be quiet. Some prayers are meant to be joyously shouted (or sung)! I think mixing up your prayer routine keeps your prayer life exciting. I mean let's face it, who loves variety more than the Creator. He didn't make just one type of flower, or bird, or fish, or animal. He spoiled us with hundreds and hundreds of different species in a multitude of sizes, shapes, and colors. God is amazing and He is always finding new ways to reveal Himself to us. If we always said the same prayer, the same way, in the same place, we might miss out on a new perspective. Take a chance and start up a completely new conversation with God and see where it takes you. The road to heaven may be straight and narrow, but it is also filled with moments of joy, excitement, and discovery! -Susan
I have been doing a little reading this week. I picked up a book about avoiding procrastination. Of course it sat on my counter for a few days. Each day I would look at it and say, "I should definitely read that today." The next day would come and go as the book sat unread. (No wonder I need help in this area.) I'm sure I'm not alone in my procrastination. There never seems to be enough time to do everything I would like to get done. I did eventually get to reading the book and I found some helpful advice. The book suggested making a list every day of what you would like to accomplish and then cross it off as you complete the task. That sounds simple enough. This got me thinking .... How much procrastination can creep into our spiritual life as well. Most of us want to spend more time with God, but how many of us actually do give God the attention He deserves and the time our souls so desperately need? How many times do we put off reading scripture? Going to the Blessed Sacrament? Reconciliation? Or deepening your understanding about the Eucharist? When we are children, we think these things will occur when we become adults. When we become adults we seem to be too busy and so we continue to let God wait. It's unfortunate that when we pray, we want God to respond immediately, and yet when He calls us closer, we ask Him to be patient. While I thought about this, I decided I need to make some changes in my life. I started with this prayer, "God I'm done making you wait. Every day I want us to do something special together. Help me to do this."
-Susan (Sorry this post is a little late, I was busy spending a little one on one time with God.)
We all get a little discouraged from time to time. We are not perfect. We make mistakes. We are not the followers of Christ that we so desire to be. Although it is uncomfortable, sometimes coming face to face with our shortcomings is an opportunity for growth. We need to acknowledge what obstacles have caused us to stumble, and how to push those obstacles out of our lives. It is only after we have decluttered our path, that we are able perceive and follow our Lord's footprints again. The more we trust in the infinite mercy of God, the clearer our path becomes. Although we may fail, God never fails us. Over and over He calls out to us, "Come, follow me. Come, follow me......" I pray that God's mercy and peace heals us all. -Susan
This past week has been very difficult to understand. It is difficult to ever make sense out of acts of hate and violence. Like me, I'm sure you have been praying for the victims of Charlottesville and those of Barcelona. I have prayed for those who have lost their lives and those whose lives will never be the same. Grief can be so overwhelming, difficult, isolating, confusing, and not to mention, so incredibly painful. As I prayed, I wished there was something I could do.... I remembered St. Theresa of Calcutta's famous quote,
"We can do no great things; just small things with great love."
I also thought about the "Sign of Peace" we offer each other at mass. As I continued to pray I got the feeling that it was time to take this simple gesture beyond the walls of the church and into the streets. We need to offer God's peace to everyone. We need God to heal us and our world. Theresa and I would like to extend a 3 day challenge. For three days, we would like you to extend some sign of peace to anyone of your choosing. Then invite any 3 people to do the same. Pray that the peace you offer the world will make a change. Pray, that in some way, God uses you to bring about peace. Pray that God will heal those who are hurting. It will take less than 10 seconds for you to say "Peace be with you," to someone, but I think it's important to remind each other, that God's desire has always been for us to live in peace. Please consider joining us in this prayer of peace for the world. -Susan & Theresa
What a fantastic day! So often I have tried to imagine the magnificence of this moment, but my mind can not come close to comprehending the glories that awaited Mary! I am left holding my rosary beads on bended knees and wondering what that moment might have been like......
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword back in it's sheath. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?" John 18:10-11
Before Simon Peter denied Jesus, and before he ran away, he drew his sword, and was ready to fight. How difficult it must have been for Peter, not to be able to defend himself. Was he really just supposed to stand there and trust in God's Plan? Does God really want us to stand empty handed when confronted with evil? I guess if we are holding on to our own devices, our hands will be too full to accept the graces God would like to give us. We have to let go and be vulnerable. We have to be willing to lay down our life. We have to give our life completely to God. During difficult times in your life, how do you defend your actions or words? Do your fears cause you to rely on the strength of weapons or is your faith strong enough to trust God? How hard is it for you to rely completely on God? Take some time to really think about it and spend some time talking it over with God. -Susan11
Theresa and I had a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a "Mercy and Mary Retreat" given by Father Michael Gaitley of the Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy. He enthusiastically encouraged all of us to strive to become saints. We are living in a time when it is easier than ever to become a saint, because "It is the Time of Mercy!" Does Father Gaitley know some secret or short cut to sainthood? He definitely knows a short cut, and he is not keeping it a secret. Consecrate your heart to Mary. "Mary, is the safest, easiest, shortest and most perfect way of approaching Jesus," according to St. Louis De Montfort. Mary teaches us to trust in Jesus. She directs our steps. Trusting in Jesus and His merciful love will transform us into saints! I consecrated myself to Mary more than a decade ago. Little by little, Mary brings me closer to the sacred heart of her Son. I have so much to learn, and I am relying on Mary to show me her ways. Father Gaitley has written several good books. He has a gift for simplifying spiritual truths into small bite size pieces that are easy to digest. All his books are wonderful but I would like to recommend starting with "33 Days to Morning Glory" or the "Second Greatest Story Ever Told". Sainthood isn't just for a lucky few, sainthood is also being offered to you. This is an opportunity to wonderful to pass up. We plan for so many things during our lifetime, be sure you are planning for eternity as well. -Susan
Did you ever have the feeling you should do something and you have no idea why? I love when the Holy Spirit gently leads me in a certain direction and I am not even aware that it is happening. This is exactly what occurred while I was on my vacation. We were supposed to be spending the entire day at the water park. Where else would you want to be on a 106 degree day? We were waiting in line to ride the Colossal Curl when a clap of thunder and lightening came out of nowhere. Next we heard a voice over the speaker announcing that a severe storm was in the area and all the rides would be closed down. I never saw a crowd of people empty a park so quickly. We went back to our accommodations and waited for the storm to pass. However to our surprise, the skies turned blue again and so we made new plans to spend spend the evening at Busch Gardens. My children were very excited to ride the roller coasters, but after I rode the first one, I realized my body did not seem to like the thrill as much as I did when I was younger. I encouraged my kids to go discover the next roller coaster with out me. I told them I was happy to just walk around and snap some pictures. As I was walking around I noticed people walking into the outside concert area. I didn't even see the sign who would be performing, but for some reason I thought I would just go in and check it out. As I sat and waited for the show to begin, I wondered if I should just get up and find my kids. I stood up to go when I had the feeling that maybe I should just stay. I had no idea I was about to have an amazing experience! After a short wait, the performer took his place on stage. Christian rock singer Jeremy Camp took the stage. He put on an incredible show! The crowd was completely energized with his music and moved with his own personal testimony between songs. I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be at that moment even though it was nothing I had even planned. It was incredible to be among so many people (most of them much younger than myself) praising Jesus through song with the sights and sounds of roller coasters in the background. It was a hand clapping, feet stomping, fist pumping energized group of people lifting their voices to Jesus! I had a great time! I left the concert so inspired and endlessly thanked the Holy Spirit for leading me here. I would definitely recommend listening to Jeremy Camps songs if you enjoy Christian rock. I would like to share a short clip of his song "Only in You" from his concert. I hope you enjoy!
Dwelling With The Spirit is a down to earth, spiritual blog about discovering the powerful presence of God on a day to day basis. The blog started by a mother daughter tag team hopes to inspire you to find God's presence in your own life.
